Abstract/Summary

This short paper explores some of the reasons for the asymmetries observed in tidal probability distribution functions in areas of predominantly semi-diurnal tide. It shows that contributions to asymmetry can arise from shallow water, diurnal and long period tidal constituents, with the diurnal terms likely to be the most important source of asymmetry at many locations. We consider this observation worthy of note due to the relatively little discussion of the topic in the literature hitherto. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.